<p>Does anyone know what course/program USNA uses for Pistol qualification? what about rifle?</p>
<p>Thanks
Andrew</p>
<p>Well, unless things have changed (I should change my screen name to that), all Plebes are trained in both Rifle and Pistol and given a chance to qualify on each.</p>
<p>In the summer of 1989, I was one of the Pistol Detail instructors, which provided the Plebes with safety and marksmanship instruction on both Rifle and Pistol. It was a hoot.</p>
<p>Rifle qualification will be with the M16A2 rifle. Pistol will be with either the M9 Beretta (my class had this one) or the venerable 1911 .45 Automatic, which is what they were using when I was an instructor. They had to switch over because Beretta had apparently had some QA issues, and the slides on the M9's were cracking and flying back and hitting people in the face when fired. Oops.</p>
<p>The qualification courses are the basic Navy courses, which I don't remember the details of. I do know that the cutoff for Expert on Rifle was 270 out of 300 possible. I believe Expert for Pistol was 180 out of 200. Plebes who qualify Marksman, Sharpshooter, or Expert get to wear the appropriate ribbon/medal when in uniform.</p>
<p>The whole course (Rifle and Pistol) takes one week, with the Plebe class divided into 4-5 seperate groups.</p>
<p>That is pretty much correct. We do qualify on the M16 and the M9. It will be new second class (class of 2008) that do the weapons detail. The rifle qualification test is pretty much the same as it has always been. Single fired shots in different positions (ie standing, prone, sitting, etc.) The M9 has just recently changed. During my plebe summer we fired the old fashioned way, one distance, rapid fire with your dominant hand. However, now, the new plebers will be firing from a thigh holster, firing with both hands, and from varying distances. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>I did weapons detail last year. The new policy in place pretty much says we have to keep teaching the plebes how to shoot until all of them are qualed as at least a marksman. The Rifle course of fire has changed as of last year as well. Previously it was shooting from the offhand, sitting and prone. Now instead of sitting they shoot kneeling. you are allowed to use the sling in all positions. The pistol course is the basic pistol course in which the highest you can get is marksman. There is also the security pistol course which enables you to qual as sharpshooter or expert. All courses of fire are rapid fire, some with magazine changes.
If you want to increase your chances of getting some higher quals, It does not hurt to go shoot something, from an air gun to a high power rifle since the basic fundamentals of shooting are the same regardless of what weapon you are using.</p>
<p>totally right, go shooting before hand. the first time i saw a gun was when i went to qualify and boy was a struggling!!!</p>
<p>I wish they'd really go all-out and teach tactical shooting. They could make it a semester-long course each year or something.</p>
<p>Damn it! It's a MILITARY ACADEMY, not just a COLLEGE! In my day, you fired Plebe Summer and didn't see a weapon again until after graduation, almost! Pathetic!</p>
<p>I'm glad to see they've beefed it up some, though. Good deal.</p>
<p>Oh, and while I own and love a Beretta 92FS (Stainless version of the M9), I still prefer to send .45 ACP downrange when the entity at the other end is trying to do unto me what I am trying to do unto him. .40S&W, minimum.</p>